Progressive illuminating means



Nov. 8, 1949 L. E. LUDWGSEN PROGRESSIVE ILLUMINATING MEANS 2 Shets-Sheet 1 IN VE1 V TOR. m geeiz,

Filed June 23, 194'? Novo 1949 L. E. LUDVZGSEN 25,487,715

PROGRESSIVE 'ILLUMINATING MEANS Filed June 25', 1947 2 Sheets-$heet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROGRESSIVE ILLUMINATING MEANS Leonard E. Ludvigsen, Los Angeles, Calif., as-

signor to Mega Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application June 23, 1947, Serial No. 756,440

18 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in progressive illuminating means.

More particularly, the present invention relates to installations employing gaseous discharge tubes which may be illuminated when supplied with electric current. One or more of such tubes may be employed in the practice of the present invention for providing illumination progressing from point to point and repeating itself cyclically.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved progressive illuminating means which employs mechanism that is sturdy and not likely to get out of order.

A further object is to provide progressive illuminating means employing hot cathode tubes which illuminating means are certain in operation and avoid the necessity for excessively high voltages.

A further object is to provide progressive illuminating means involving relatively simple magnetic structures for controlling its functions.

A further object is to provide progressive illuminating means well adapted to meet the needs of commercial service.

Further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

Figure l is a diagrammatic view illustrating a system embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic View illustrating a detail of construction;

Figure 3 illustrates an exciting and holding relay forming part of the system illustrated in Figure 1; and

Figure 4 illustrates another exciting and holding relay also employed in the system illustrated in Figure 1.

According to the present invention a plurality of gaseous discharge tubes may be employed such, for example, as those indicated by the numerals H and [2 in Figure 1. Each of said tubes is provided with a cathode l3 which may be heated from any desired source of electric current. Within each of said tubes H and I2 is a contact assembly indicated generally by the numeral I4. Each of the contact assemblies I4-l4 includes a group of anodes indicated by the numerals 15, I6, I1 and i8 spaced along the corresponding tube. Also located in each tube is an anode [9, which may be referred to as an end anode, spaced from the anode l8. Each contact assembly l4 and the end anode I9 may be supported interiorly of its corresponding tube by any preferred means. As illustrated in Figure 2, each or the anodes l5, I6,

I! and I8 is carried by a support 2| and is provided with a movable electric contact 22. The anodes l5, l6 and I! are each adapted to have electrical contact with the next succeeding anode through the contact 22 thereof which is biased into engagement with the relatively fixed contact 23 which is electrically connected to the next succeeding anode. Each anode l5, l6 and I1 is connected to its corresponding electrical contact 22 through a swinging arm 24 which carries a small mass of magnetic material indicated by the numeral 25. Disposed exteriorly of the corresponding tube in proximity to each of the masses of magnetic material I5 is a magnetic coil 26 carried by a support 21. Eachof the coils 26, when energized, is adapted to attract its corresponding mass of magnetic material and break engagement between-the corresponding contacts 22 and 23.

The system disclosed in Figure 1 employs a plurality of relays 29 and 30 which may be referred to as exciting and holding relays.

Figure 3 illustrates one of the exciting and holding relays 29 or 30. This relay is illustrated as having an approximately U-shaped field structure indicated by the numeral 32 and with the pivoted armature 32'. Said armature 32' carries a contact member 33 adapted to engage the stationary contact member 34. Said armature 32 is biased as, for example, by the spring 35 to a position wherein the contact 33 engages the contact 34. Each of the relays 29 and 30 is provided with a pair of coils, one indicated by the numeral 36, being an exciting coil. The other coil, indicated by the numeral 31, is a holding 0011 for maintaining the relay in operated position whereby to hold the contact 33 out of engagement with the contact 34.

Other exciting and holding relays, indicated by the numerals 38 and 38, cooperate respectively with the exciting and holding relays 29 and 30.

The details of the exciting and holding relays 38 and 39 are illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 4. Each of the exciting and holding relays 38 and 39 is provided with an approximately U-shaped field structure indicated by the numeral 42 and with a swinging armature 43. Said armature 43 carries a pair of electrical contacts 44 and 43 insulated from each other. Said armature 43 is biased as, for example, by a spring 46 into a position wherein the contact member 44 engages a relatively fixed contact 41 and wherein the contact 45 engages a relatively fixed contact 48. When said armature 43 is in magnetized condition, said contact member 44 is moved into engagement with a relatively fixed contact 49 and contact member 45 is moved into engagement with member 58, which is a dead contact. The numeral I indicates an exciting coil adapted, when excited, to attract the arma ture 43. The numeral 53 indicates a holding coil for holding the armature 43 in its attracted position as long as current is passing through said holding coil.

Proceeding now to a description of the system disclosed in Figure 1, the numerals 5454 indicate the two sides of a source of electric current controlled by the switch 54. Connected across the lines 5454 through the trip-switch 55 is the primary 56 of a transformer 51 having a plurality of secondaries which provide current for the full wave rectifier 58. Said rectifier 58 is adapted to deliver pulsating uni-directional current. The polarities of the rectifier 58 are indicated by the plus and minus signs adjacent thereto. Also connected across the lines 5454 is the primary 59 of a transformer 60 which has the function of supplying heating current to the cathodes I3I3 of the tubes II and I2. Said transformer 60 also has the function of supplying current to the various relays to be referred to more in detail presently. Said transformer 60 has the secondary winding 6| adapted to supply heating current to the cathode I3 of the tube I2. Said transformer 60 also has the secondary winding 62 for supplying heating current to the cathode I3 of the tube II.

Also connected across that part of the lines 5454 controlled by the switch 54 is the selfstarting alternating current motor 63 adapted to swing the arm 64 throughout a complete circumference engaging successively with a plurality of contact buttons indicated by the numerals 65, 66, 61, 68, 69, 19, II, "I2, I3 and I4. In the course of its travel from the button 14 back to the button 65, the arm 64 is adapted to open the trip-switch 55, which, after said arm has passed, will automatically close again. One side of the secondary 62 of the transformer 60 is connected to the swinging arm 64 and the other side of said secondary is connected to ground, that is, to a conducting member G, common to a number of electrical terminals. The button 65 is connected to one terminal of the exciting coil of the exciting and holding relay 29, the other terminal of this exciting coil being connected to ground. The contact button 66 is electrically connected to one terminal of that coil 26, which is positioned to open-circuit the anode I5 in the tube II. The other terminal of said coil is connected to ground. In a like manner the contact button 61 is connected to that coil 26 which is adapted to open-circuit the anode I6 in tube II, the other terminal of said coil being connected to ground. Contact button 68 in like manner is connected to a coil 26 for controlling the circuit through the anode II, the other terminal of said coil being connected to ground. The contact button 69 is connected to tioned to open-circuit the anode I5 of the tube I2, the other terminal of said coil being connected to ground. In like manner the Contact buttons 12 and 13 are connected to the coils 26-26 positioned to open-circuit the anodes I6 and II, respectively, of tube I2. The contact button I4 is connected to one terminal of the exciting coil of the exciting and holding relay 39, the other terminal of said exciting coil being connected to ground.

When the switch 54' is open and the various relays are all unexcited, a short circuit is provided across the terminals of the uni-directional power source 5.8 which circuit may be traced as follows: From the positive side of the uni-directional source 58 to the contact 45 of relay 39, contact 48 thereof, armature 32' of relay 30 to contact 45 of relay 38, contact 48 thereof, armature 32 of relay 29 back to the negative side of the uni-directional power source 58. In other Words, the circuit just traced constitutes a bypass circuit around each of the tubes II and I2.

When the operator desires to start the system into operation, he will close the switch 54', energizing the uni-directional power source 58 as well as the transformer 60. The cathodes I3-I3 of the tubes II and I2 will be heated. Moreover the motor 63 will be set into operation. Of course, the position of the swinging arm 64 will depend usually upon the position at which it was left when the switch 54' had previously been opened. For simplicity of explanation, it may be assumed that the switch arm 64 is somewhere in the space between the trip-switch 55 and the contact button 65. When said arm 64 engages the contact button 65, a circuit is completed from the secondary 62 of the transformer through the arm 64, contact button 65, the exciting coil of relay 29 to ground, thence to the grounded terminal of the secondary 62. The resulting magnetization of the relay 29 will attract the armature 32, breaking circuit between the contacts 33 and 34 of said relay 29. Circuit may be traced from the positive side of the unidirectional power source 58 through contacts 45 and 48 of the exciting and holding relay 39 through the armature 32' of the relay 30 through contacts 44 and 41 of relay 38 through the holding coil 31 of relay 29 to the contact assembly I4 of tube II, thereby charging the anodes I5, I6, I! and I8 in said tube II. Inasmuch as the cathode I3 has been heated, current will pass from the anode I5 of tube II to the cathode thereof back to the negative side of the power source 58. Inasmuch as the holding coil 31 of the relay 29 is energized, the armature 32 thereof will maintain the break in the short circuit across the uni-directional source of power 56, whereby current will continue to flow from the anode I5 to the cathode I3 of said tube, maintaining a glow therebetween.

The motor 63 in the course of its operation will move the arm 64 out of engagement with the contact button and into engagement with the contact button 66, completing circuit for that coil 26 which controls the circuit of anode I5 of tube II. the anode I6 is the nearest anode to the cathode I3 to be charged and current will pass between said anode I6 and the cathode I3, causing the region between these two elements to glow. In like manner, when the arm 64 engages the contact button 61, the region between the anode I1 and the cathode I3 will be caused to glow and when the arm 64 engages the contact button 68 the region between the anode I8 and the cathode I 3 of tube I I will be caused to glow.

When the anode I5 is open-circuited,

When the arm 64 engages the contact button 69, the exciting coil 5| of the relay 38 will be energized, attracting the armature 43 thereof, moving contact 45 out of engagement with contact 48 and moving contact 44 into engagement with the contact 49. This action de-energizes the relay 29 and the contact assembly l4 in tube H, but at the same time completes a power circuit from the positive side of the power source 58 through contacts 45 and 48 of relay 39 through armature 32' of relay 30 through contacts 44 and 49 of relay 38 through the holding coil 53 of said relay 38 to the anode l9 in tube II. This will cause a glow throughout the length of tube l I.

As the arm 64 proceeds to the contact button it, the relay 30 will be energized, breaking the short circuit across the tube l2, and causin current from the positive side of the uni-directional power source 58 to flow through contacts 44 and 4i of relay 39 through the holding coil of relay 36 to the contact assembly M of tube I2, thence from the anode [5 thereof to the cathode l3 of tube i2, thence through contacts 44 and 48 of relay 38 through the holding coil of relay 38 to anode IQ of tube H, back through the cathode it to tube, to the negative side of the source 58. Glow will now occur between the anode l5 and cathode l3 of tube l2 as well as throughout the length of tube II. As the contact arm proceeds to contact 14, the glow will progress through the tube [2 in a manner similar to that described in connection with tube I I.

After the arm 64 has passed the last contact button !4 it will open the switch 55 momentarily, open circuiting the primary circuit 56 of the transformer 51 thereby momentarily shutting off the power source 58. This will result in a deenergization of relays. The cycle will be reinitiated when the arm 64 again engages the contact button 55.

Though a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a gaseous discharge tube of the hot cathode type, a cathode and a plurality of anodes disposed inwardly or said tube, means located within said tube connecting said anodes to provide a contact assembly, each of said connecting means being provided with magnetic material and relay means disposed exteriorly of said tube adapted progressively to attract said magnetic material to open-circuit said connecting means.

2. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a gaseous discharge tube of the hot cathode type, a cathode and a plurality of anodes disposed inwardly of said tube, means located within said tube connecting said anodes to provide a contact assembly, each of said connecting means being provided with magnetic material and relay means disposed exteriorly of said tube adapted progressively to attract said magnetic material to open-circuit said connecting means, an end anode in said tube and relay means for controlling said end anode, said last mentioned relay means being adapted to open-circuit said contact assembly.

3. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a gaseous discharge tube of the hot cathode type provided with a cathode and a 6 plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, means located within said tube connecting said anodes to provide a contact assembly and means located exteriorly of said tube for progressively opening said connecting means.

4. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a gaseous discharge tube of the hot cathode type provided with a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, means located within said tube connecting said anodes to provide a contact assembly and means located eXteriorly of said tube for progressively opening said connecting means, an end anode in said tube and relay means for controlling said end anode, said last mentioned relay means being adapted to open-circuit said contact assembly.

5. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a gaseous discharge tube having a cathode, a group of anodes, connecting means connecting said anodes in series and an end anode, said anodes being spaced along said tube with said end anode furthest from said cathode, a by-pass circuit for said tube, means for interrupting said by-pass circuit and directing current to said group of anodes and for progressively opening said connecting means and means for thereafter opening circuit to said group of anodes and making circuit to said end anode.

6. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a gaseous discharge tube of the hot cathode type provided with a cathode and a pluralit of anodes spaced along said tube, means located within said tube separably connecting said anodes to one another, conducting means for delivering current to said anodes and connecting means located exteriorly of said tube and means for progressively open-circuiting said connecting means.

'7. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a gaseous discharge tube of the hot cathode type provided with a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, means located within said tube separably connecting said anodes to one another, conducting means for delivering current to said anodes and connecting means located exteriorly of said tube and means for progressively open-circuiting said connecting means, another anode in said tube and means for connecting said other anode in circuit when said conducting means is opencircuited.

8. In combination, a gaseous discharge tube having a cathode and anodes spaced along said tube, means connecting said anodes to one another to provide a contact assembly, means for delivering current to said assembly, an end anode in said tube, a by-pass circuit for said tube, a plurality of relay means for open-circuiting said by-pass circuit and directing current to said connecting means to cause discharge from said anodes, means for energizing said relay means in progression and means for closing circuit to said end anode" when all of said connecting means have been open-circuited.

9. In combination, a gaseous discharge tube having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, separable contacts connecting said anodes into a contact assembly, means for delivering current to said assembly, magnetic means located exteriorly of said tube for controlling said contacts and means for progressively energizing said magnetic means to progressively control said anodes.

10. In combination, a gaseous discharge tube 7 having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, separable contacts connecting said anodes into a contact assembly, means for delivering current to said assembly, magnetic means located exteriorly of said tube for controlling said contacts and means for progressively energizing said magnetic means to progressively control said anodes, an end anode and means for charging said end anode when said anodes in said contact assembly are opencircuited.

11. In combination, a gaseous discharge tube having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, separable contacts connecting said anodes, means for delivering current to said anodes and said contacts, an end anode in said tube, magnetic means iorcontrolling said contacts, a by-pass circuit for said tube and progressively operable means for open-circuiting said by-pass circuit and directing current to said anodes, maintaining said by-pass circuit in opencircuit condition while current is flowing in said tube and opening said contacts in succession.

12. In combination, a gaseous discharge tube having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, contact means connecting said anodes, conducting means for delivering current to said anodes and said contact means, magnetic means disposed exteriorly of said tube for controlling said contact means, a by-pass circuit for said tube, means for progressively energizing said magnetic means, said magnetic means being adapted to open said by-pass circuit and direct current to said contact means and progressively open said contact means.

13. In combination, a gaseous discharge tube having a cathode and a pluralit of anodes spaced along said tube, contact means connecting said anodes, conducting means for delivering current to said anodes and said contact means, magnetic means disposed exteriorly of said tube for controlling said contact means, a by-pass circuit for said tube, means for progressively energizing said magnetic means, said magnetic means being adapted to open said by-pass circuit, direct current to said contact means and progressively open said contact means, an end anode in said tube, said magnetic means being adapted to connect said end anode in circuit when the anode next adjacent thereto is disconnected.

14. In combination, a gaseous discharge tube having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, contact means connecting said anodes, magnetic means disposed exteriorly of said tube for controlling said contact means, a by-pass circuit for said tube, means for progressively energizing said magnetic means for breaking circuit through said by-pass circuit, direct current to said contact means and progressively open said contact means, and for maintaining said short-circuiting means in broken circuit condition as long as current is passing from one of said anodes to said cathode.

15. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a gaseous discharge tube having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced therealong, contacts adapted to connect said anodes to provide a contact assembly, conducting means for delivering current to said contact assembly, means for progressively controlling said contacts to progressively vary the length of glow of said 8 tube, an end anode of said tube and relay means for open-circuiting said connecting means and closing circuit to said end anode.

16. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a plurality of gaseous discharge tubes, each having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced therealong, said anodes being connected together by contact members into a ontact assembly, a by-pass circuit for each of aid tubes, an end anode in each of said tubes, progressively operable magnetic means for opencircuiting each of said by-pass circuits and for directing current to said contact assembly of the corresponding tube and for maintaining said by pass circuit in such current directing relationship while current is flowing in its corresponding tube, for open-circuiting said contact members, for connecting in circuit the end anode in each tube, and for connecting the end anode of one tube with the cathode in the next succeeding tube.

17. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a pluralit of gaseous discharge tubes, each having a cathode, a group of anodes, connecting means connecting said anodes in series and an end anode, by-pass circuit means for said tubes, relay means for opening said bypass circuit means and for directing current to said connecting means and for progressively open circuiting said connecting means to cause progressive discharge from said anodes in said group in one of said tubes, relay means for controlling discharge from the end anode in said first tube, other relay means for progressively controlling discharge from said anodes progressively in the other of said tubes and means responsive to said relay means for connecting the cathode of one tube to the end anode of the preceding tube.

18. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a plurality of gaseous discharge tubes, each provided with a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced therealong, means connecting said anodes in each tube to one another to provide a contact assembly, means for delivering current to said contact assembly, relay means for open-circuiting said current delivery means, an end anode in each of said tubes, means for controlling said connecting means, by-pass circuit means for said tubes, means operative for each of said tubes in succession for open-circuiting said by-pass circuit means and directing current to the contact assembly of the corresponding tube, for progressively opening said connecting means in said contact assembl and for connecting said end anode in circuit for controlling the discharge from said anodes in progression and relay means for connecting the cathode in one of said tubes to the end anode of the next preceding tube.

LEONARD E. LUDVIGSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,056,619 Reger et al. Oct. 6, 1936 2,150,902 Van Bain Mar. 21, 1939 Certificate of Correction November 8, 1949 and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this 0 same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of February, A. D, 1950.

pecification of the above orrection therein that the THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

